On-demand vacate mechanism for cloud spectrum services

ABSTRACT

A platform to facilitate transferring spectrum rights is provided that includes a database to ascertain information regarding available spectrum for use in wireless communications. The proposed apparatus and non-transitory machine-accessible medium defines the transactions required for release of the “rented” spectrum by clients which are using the spectrum when demanded by a primary spectrum holder to provide functionality for flexible and optimal use of spectrum on client devices. The apparatus and non-transitory machine-accessible medium coordinates scanning for available broadcast, multicast, and/or conditional access platforms, networks, and/or services, as well as maintaining connection with CSS network elements to enable flexible and optimal use of the spectrum and manages the resources among multiple radios and applications on the platform.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/603,261 entitled “INTELLIGENT SPECTRUM ALLOCATION BASED ON USERBEHAVIOR PATTERNS FOR EFFICIENT SPECTRUM USAGE,” filed Feb. 25, 2012,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications andmore particularly to a method and apparatus to vacate and make, ondemand and in a guaranteed manner, available spectrum in use by analternate spectrum holder.

2. Introduction

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular,etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience toconsumers by, for example, providing compelling network services.Numerous organizations have forecast significant mobile broadbandtraffic growth over the coming 5-10 years worldwide. On average, thoseforecasts approach 80% compound annual growth rate. This high trafficgrowth leads to the conclusion that spectrum (current and planned)targeted for exclusive licensing by mobile broadband carriers could beexhausted before the end of the decade. On the other hand, in spite ofthe potential spectrum scarcity problem, spectrum utilizationmeasurements in most countries, worldwide, have shown that there is alarge amount of underutilized spectrum in the 300 MHz to 6 GHz range.

The conventional strategy of fixed spectrum management is to issue aspectrum license to a specific Radio Access Technology (RAT) to enablethe specific RAT to occupy the spectrum exclusively. However, such amanner of spectrum management is unable to adapt to the changing ofspectrum demands dynamically in space and time, and it hence leads touneven spectrum utilization and artificial spectrum shortage.

Industry and regulatory agencies are aware of these facts and issues,and are thereby trying to adopt more flexible and dynamic regulatoryframework to enable spectrum sharing or access, which is called DynamicSpectrum Sharing (DSS) and Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA), respectively.DSS and DSA may enable a secondary user or spectrum holder in need ofspectrum availability to use spectrum assigned to, or owned by, aprimary user or spectrum holder without any harmful interference.

Cloud Spectrum Services (CSS) is a framework for Dynamic SpectrumSharing (DSS) and Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) using the cloud forspectrum management that provides optimum spectrum allocation throughdynamic spectrum rentals. At the heart of the CSS framework there is aCSS database and a broker that manages and optimizes the allocationbased on various inputs like device capability, base station capability,spectrum availability and user needs, user movement and the like.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for managing dynamic sharingof available spectrum services. In these embodiments there is proposedapparatus and non-transitory machine-accessible medium to temporarily“rent” their spectrum to mobile operators on the condition it can berelinquished to the primary license holder when needed. The proposedapparatus and non-transitory machine-accessible medium defines thetransactions required for release of the “rented” spectrum by clientswhich are using the spectrum when demanded by a primary spectrum holderto provide functionality for flexible and optimal use of spectrum onclient devices.

According to one embodiment, a device comprising a processor, incommunication with a memory, for executing instructions to consumeduring an availability window one or more broadcast services in abroadcast network; and process a STOP message, received during theavailability window, requesting to vacate consumption of the one or morebroadcast services.

According to another embodiment, a method of operating a multi-modedevice, the method consuming during an availability window one or morebroadcast services in a broadcast network; and processing a STOPmessage, received during the availability window, requesting to vacateconsumption of the one or more broadcast services.

According to another embodiment, a non-transitory machine-accessiblemedium that provides instructions, which when accessed, cause a machineto perform operations like if a STOP message is received during anavailability window, then processing the STOP message; and otherwise,consuming during the availability window one or more broadcast servicesin a broadcast network; wherein the STOP message is a request to vacateconsumption of the one or more broadcast services.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein. It is envisioned, however,that any system that incorporates features of any apparatus, methodand/or system described herein are encompassed by the scope and spiritof the exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of managing dynamic sharing ofavailable spectrum services, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a cloud spectrum servicesmanagement platform, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a cloud spectrum service (CSS) enabled multi-modedevice with CSS middleware in accordance to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of STOP transactions required for release ofrented spectrum by client devices that are using the spectrum whendemanded by a primary spectrum holder or cloud spectrum broker inaccordance to an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method to process a STOP message torelease a rented spectrum prior to expiration of the availability windowin accordance to an embodiment.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Thefeatures and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtainedby means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. These and other features of the present disclosurewill become more fully apparent from the following description andappended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure asset forth herein.

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “applying,” “receiving,”“establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer tooperation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, acomputing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulateand/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic)quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into otherdata similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer'sregisters and/or memories or other information storage medium that maystore instructions to perform operations and/or processes.

Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard,the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “aplurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two ormore components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. Forexample, “a plurality of resistors” may include two or more resistors.

The term “spectrum asset” is a right to use, usually in a specificgeographic area, a range of electromagnetic radiation, from the highestfrequency to the lowest. The spectrum encompasses everything from X-raysand gamma rays to visible light and radio waves. Additionally, thespectrum asset can be reduced to a set of time slots selected from agroup consisting of hours, days, time blocks, minutes, and seconds or toa frequency range that is also reducible to a set of time slots.

The term “Cloud Spectrum Services (CSS)” is used herein to refer to adynamic spectrum rental scheme that uses a cloud-based database andoptimization engine to allocate available spectrum to client devices.

The term “Multi-mode device (MMD)” is used herein to primarily refer toa user equipment (UE) such as a wireless device to transmit and/orreceive data to/from a fixed network infrastructure, and includes forexample a mobile device, tablet, computing device, TV sets, hand held(HH) device. An MMD could also be capable of directly using spectrumresources assigned by a Cloud Spectrum Broker CSB. An MMD can engage inwired or wireless communication with other devices.

As used herein the terms “lease” and “rent” are synonymous.

The term “Primary Spectrum Holder (PSH)” in the context of a cloudspectrum services (CSS) transaction, is a spectrum owner with rightsconveyed by a regulatory authority to a portion of the radio spectrumthat will be dynamically managed by a CSB and reallocated for temporaryuse to MMDs and/or Alternate Spectrum Holders (ASHs). Examples includeTV broadcasters, cellular operators, and government agencies (military,public safety, and the like).

The term “Alternate Spectrum Holder (ASH)” as used herein is anyoperator or entity which provides MMDs with access to a fixed networkinfrastructure. Examples include cellular operators and governmentagencies. In Cloud Spectrum Services (CSS) an ASH is a user that canrequest spectrum from a cloud spectrum broker.

The term “Cloud Spectrum Service Database (CSD)” is used herein to referto a device to Store data that are used by a CSB to dynamically managethe spectrum asset such as a radio spectrum resource, i.e., spectrumavailability at a given time in a given location. The CSD can bedeployed by a third party or as part of an ASH or PSH network.

The term “Content Provider (CP)” is used herein to refer to Contentproviders such as ESPN, Netflix, Hulu, Disney and Amazon. A CP mayestablish service agreements directly with MMDs and uses the services ofa CSB to ensure reliable delivery of content to MMDs across anycommunication infrastructure such as wireless media. In Cloud SpectrumServices (CSS) a CP is a user that can request spectrum from a cloudspectrum broker.

The term “Cloud Spectrum Broker (CSB)” refers to the entity, such as aCSS management platform, responsible for managing CSS transactions andfor optimizing the use of the spectrum asset like a radio spectrumresource across a geographical area on the basis of parameters such asPSH offerings, ASH requirements and requests, MMD capabilities andrequests, CP offerings and requirements, and application requirements.

The term “controller” is used herein generally to describe variousapparatus relating to the operation of one or more device that directsor regulates a process or machine. A controller can be implemented innumerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform variousfunctions discussed herein. A “processor” is one example of a controllerwhich employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed usingsoftware (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussedherein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing aprocessor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicatedhardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or moreprogrammed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform otherfunctions. Examples of controller components that may be employed invarious embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are notlimited to, conventional microprocessors, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

The term “wireless device” as used herein includes, for example, adevice capable of wireless communication, a communication device capableof wireless communication, a mobile terminal, a communication stationcapable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable devicecapable of wireless communication, mobile terminal, or the like. In someembodiments, a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral devicethat is integrated with a computer, or a peripheral device that isattached to a computer. In some embodiments, the term “wireless device”may optionally include a wireless service.

As used herein, the term “network” is used in its broadest sense to meanany system capable of passing communications from one entity to another.Thus, for example, a network can be, but is not limited to, a wide areanetwork, a WiFi network, a cellular network, and/or any combinationthereof.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 capable of managing dynamic sharingof available spectrum services, according to one embodiment. System 100is capable of managing dynamic sharing of available spectrum services.For instance, the system 100 addresses the need for interfaces andprotocols that enable communications among entities such as primaryspectrum holders, alternate spectrum holders, spectrum brokers ormanagement services, and/or regulatory agencies to facilitate dynamicsharing of available spectrum services by way of a cloud interface.

There are four major stakeholders in CSS: 1) a primary spectrum holderhaving an exclusive right to use a specific spectrum service, 2) analternate spectrum holder, e.g. a cellular or mobile broadband operatoror service provider that may need to rent or borrow pieces of thespectrum owned or assigned to the primary spectrum service holder, 3) aregulatory agency that manages spectrum allocation and/or authorizes arenting or sharing deal between the primary spectrum holder and thealternate spectrum service holder, and 4) a spectrum broker ormanagement service that manages CSS transactions performed in the CSScloud.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises user equipment (UE) 101a-101 n (collectively referred to as UE 101) having connectivity to aCSS management platform 103 or CSB, one or more primary spectrum serviceholders 107 a-107 n (collectively referred to as primary spectrum holder107), one or more alternate spectrum service holders 109 a-109 n(collectively referred to as alternate spectrum holder 109), a CSSdatabase 111, and one or more a spectrum service allocation regulators(collectively referred to and illustrated as spectrum service allocationregulator 113) via a communication network 105. While all of the UE 101,CSS management platform 103, primary spectrum holder 107, alternatespectrum holder 109, CSS database 111 and spectrum service regulator 113are all illustrated as having connectivity to the communication network105, each of these features may or may not have direct connectivity toone another, according to various embodiments and system architectures.

According to various embodiments, the CSS management platform 103 may beoperated by a spectrum broker or management service and be operativelyconnected to, or include, the CSS database 111 such as cloud spectrumdatabase (CSD). The CSS management platform 103 may also be configuredto store various computational resources to perform CSS transactions inthe CSS database 111 or in another memory associated with the CSSmanagement platform 103.

According to various embodiments, the infrastructure of the alternatespectrum holder 109 may be a radio access network (RAN) and/or a corenetwork that has a capability to use various available spectrum servicesprovided by the primary spectrum holder 107 as rental spectrum, forexample. Additionally, the UE 101 may be a CSS-capable multi-mode device(MMD), for example, capable of using various available spectrum servicesprovided by the primary spectrum holder 107.

In one or more embodiments, there may be any combination of one or moreof the following four logical interfaces. For example, a first interfaceis defined between the primary spectrum holder 107 and the CSS database111. A second interface is defined between the alternate spectrum holder109 and the CSS management platform 103. A third interface is definedbetween the CSS management platform 103 and the CSS database 111. Afourth interface is defined between the primary spectrum holder 107 andCSS management platform 103.

According to various embodiments, depending on CSS architecture, theremay also, or alternatively, be other logical interfaces defined betweenthe CSS management platform 103 and the UE 101, and/or the spectrumservice allocation regulator 113. Or, the spectrum service allocationregulator may directly interface with the primary spectrum holder 107.

In one or more embodiments, the primary spectrum holder 107 provides theCSS management platform 103 and/or the CSS database 111 directly or byway of the CSS management platform 103 information, for instance,regarding which spectrum services such as radio resources are availablefor a particular period of time on a dynamic basis. The informationregarding available spectrum services provided by the primary spectrumholder 107 is accordingly stored in the CSS database 111.

According to various embodiments, the alternate spectrum holder 109 orthe UE 101 provides the CSS management platform 103 via an interfacewith one or more spectrum sharing requests regarding spectrum renting.For example, if the alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101determines that additional spectrum services are needed beyond thosecurrently available to the alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101or estimated as being available in the future to the alternate spectrumholder 109 or the UE 101, the alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE101 makes a request for spectrum sharing that is sent to the CSSmanagement platform 103 so that a need for current or future spectrumservices may be satisfied.

For example, the request for spectrum sharing may specify variousservice criteria or details regarding the request such as, but notlimited to, one or more of a period of time during which the requestedspectrum sharing is to occur, a price offering range for the requestedspectrum sharing, a frequency range within which the requested spectrumsharing is allowed to occur, a performance requirement associated withthe source of the request for spectrum sharing, and a spectrum holderwith which the requested spectrum sharing is allowed to occur.

The primary spectrum holder 107, along with the information regardingwhich spectrum services are available, may indicate various spectrumsharing criteria to CSS management platform 103 regarding rentingconditions including, but not limited to, an asking price for sharing anavailable spectrum service, a performance data of the available spectrumservice, a frequency range of the available spectrum service, and aspectrum sharing requestor with which the available spectrum service isallowed to be shared.

Based on a receipt of a request for spectrum service sharing, the CSSmanagement platform 103 obtains information stored in the CSS database111, and analyzes the alternate spectrum holder 109's or the UE 101'srequests for spectrum sharing, and may also consider any regulatoryrules that are provided by the spectrum service allocation regulator 113to cause an allocation of one or more available spectrum services to thealternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101.

For example, the CSS management platform 103 may compare the variousspectrum sharing criteria set by the primary spectrum holder 107 withthe service criteria provided by the alternate spectrum holder 109 orthe UE 101. Based on this comparison, the CSS management platform 103may determine whether a particular available spectrum service should beshared with the requesting alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101.The determination to share the available spectrum service may be based,for example, on a matching between the spectrum sharing criteria storedin the CSS database 111 and the service criteria provided by thealternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101. The matching may be basedon an optimization routine associated with pairing the various spectrumsharing criteria and the various service criteria, for example. Then,based on the matching, a decision to share an available spectrum servicestored in the CSS database 111 may be made and the available spectrumservice may be allocated to the alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE101.

For example, if a primary spectrum holder 107 only wants to enablesharing/renting of its available spectrum services to certain carriersat particular times, the CSS management platform 103 causes a decisionto share available spectrum services to be made in accordance with thatparticular combination of spectrum sharing criteria. Or, for example, ifa primary spectrum holder 107 will only rent or share its availablespectrum services for a particular minimum price, the CSS managementplatform 103 will only match an alternate spectrum holder 109 or UE 101that has a price offering that meets the asking price provided in thespectrum sharing criteria. According to various embodiments, the CSSmanagement platform 103 may be configured to maximize the revenueproduced by sharing available spectrum services. For example, if analternate spectrum holder 109 or a UE 101 provides service criteriaincluding a price offering or a price range that exceeds the askingprice for spectrum rental, the CSS management platform 103 will allocatethe available spectrum services to the highest bidder (assuming multiplebidding alternate spectrum service holders 109 or UE 101's, for example)and/or, if there is only one bidding entity, will allocate the availablespectrum service at the maximum of the offered range, rather than at theasking price which may be lower than the offered range.

In one or more embodiments, the various spectrum sharing criteria and/orthe service criteria may be weighted such that certain criteria is moreimportant than other criteria, so that the decision to share spectrumservices may be based on a weighted matching. For instance, if aspectrum sharing criteria is set to be limited to a particular time hasa weighting of “X”, but a price point for spectrum sharing is set as “Y”which is more heavily weighted than X, and a particular price pointoffered by the alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101 causes thetiming limit to be overridden, the CSS management platform 103 may causea decision to share the available spectrum service based on the priceoffering even though the primary spectrum holder 107 would normally notallow spectrum sharing during the time at which the request for sharingspectrum services is made or the time at which the spectrum sharing isto occur. In other words, if a primary spectrum holder 107 does not wantto share spectrum services with alternate spectrum holder 109 or UE 101during peak hours, the primary spectrum holder 107 may do so if theprice is right.

It should be noted that the above examples are merely exemplaryregarding potential matching, alignment, weighting, optimization and/orreasoning for comparing and matching an alternate spectrum holder 109 orUE 101 with an available spectrum service provided by primary spectrumholder 107. Any type of data or criteria, combination, or weightingscheme for spectrum sharing and/or service criteria may be provided tothe CSS management platform 103 for consideration when making adetermination to share available spectrum services and when allocatingavailable spectrum services to an alternate spectrum holder 107 and/or aUE 101.

Additionally, the CSS management platform 103 may consider anyregulatory rules provided by the spectrum service allocation regulator113, or rules could be integrated into CSS database 111, whendetermining to share the available spectrum service with the requestingalternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101. For example, any regulatoryrules that govern allocation of spectrum services by way of rental,borrowing, sharing, etc. may be considered when the CSS managementplatform 103 optimizes the matching of spectrum sharing criteria andservice criteria, or the CSS management platform 103 may apply theregulatory rules after a determination to share the available spectrumservices is made and the regulatory rules are applied to approve ordisapprove of the decision to share the available spectrum servicesand/or the allocation of the available spectrum services to thealternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101.

In one or more embodiments, the CSS management platform 103 updates theCSS database 111 regarding the allocation of the available spectrumservices to the alternate spectrum holder 109 or the UE 101. The CSSmanagement platform 103 may also advise the alternate spectrum holder109 or the UE 101 of a decision on their request for spectrum sharing byway of a notification message. The notification message may includespecific details regarding the decision to share the available spectrumservice and/or the allocation such as price paid, price to be paid, timefor the allocation, frequency allocation, primary spectrum holderdetails, etc.

The CSS management platform 103 may also report the allocation of theavailable spectrum service to the primary spectrum holder 107 by way ofa notification message. The notification message may include specificdetails regarding the decision to share the spectrum service and/or theallocation such as price paid, price to be paid, time for theallocation, frequency allocation, primary spectrum holder details, etc.

By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includesone or more networks such as a wired data network, a wireless network, atelephony network, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated thatthe data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., theInternet), short range wireless network, or any other suitablepacket-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietarypacket-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-opticnetwork, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, thewireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employvarious technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution(EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS),universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as anyother suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability formicrowave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, codedivision multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access(WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), WiGig, wireless LAN (WLAN),Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobilead-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portableterminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimediacomputer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktopcomputer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tabletcomputer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personalnavigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/videoplayer, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, televisionreceiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device,or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals ofthese devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated thatthe UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as“wearable” circuitry, etc.).

By way of example, the UE 101, CSS management platform 103, primaryspectrum holder 107, alternate spectrum holder 109, and optionally CSSdatabase 111 and spectrum service allocation regulator 113 communicatewith each other and other components of the communication network 105using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, aprotocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes withinthe communication network 105 interact with each other based oninformation sent over the communication links. The protocols areeffective at different layers of operation within each node, fromgenerating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selectinga link for transferring those signals, to the format of informationindicated by those signals, to identifying which software applicationexecuting on a computer system sends or receives the information. Theconceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging informationover a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected byexchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1)header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2)payload information that follows the header information and containsinformation that may be processed independently of that particularprotocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer informationfollowing the payload and indicating the end of the payload information.The header includes information such as the source of the packet, itsdestination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by theprotocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocolincludes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with adifferent, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for aparticular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocolcontained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to beencapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in apacket traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet,typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2)header, an inter-network (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4)header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headersas defined by the OSI Reference Model.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a cloud spectrum servicesmanagement platform 103, according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is adiagram of the components of CSS management platform 103, according toone embodiment. By way of example, the CSS management platform 103includes one or more components for managing a dynamic sharing ofavailable spectrum services. It is contemplated that the functions ofthese components may be combined in one or more components or performedby other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, theCSS management platform 103 includes a communication module 201, acontrol logic 203, a sharing decision module 205, a regulatory rulesmodule 207, an allocation module 209, and optionally the CSS database111, discussed above.

According to various embodiments, the CSS management platform 103receives information regarding one or more available spectrum servicesprovided by the primary spectrum holder 107 by way of the communicationmodule 201. The control logic 203 causes the information regarding theone or more available spectrum services to be stored in the CSS database111. A request for spectrum sharing may be received by the communicationmodule 201. Upon receipt of the request for spectrum sharing, thecontrol logic 203 instructs the sharing decision module 205 to assessany information associated with the request for spectrum sharing such asservice criteria discussed above and/or the source of the request forspectrum sharing such as alternate spectrum holder 109 or UE 101. Thesharing decision module 205 accordingly compares the informationassociated with the request for spectrum sharing with any informationassociated with the available spectrum services stored in the CSSdatabase 111 such as, but not limited to, any spectrum sharing criteriaand/or any regulatory rules managed by the regulatory rules module 207to determine to share one or more of the available spectrum serviceswith the source of the request for spectrum sharing.

As discussed above, the decision to share spectrum services may be madeinclusive of any available regulatory rules or be made before anyregulatory rules are applied to verify a decision to share the availablespectrum services. Upon making a decision to share one or more availablespectrum services, the control logic 203 causes the allocation module209 to facilitate sharing of the available spectrum services byallocating one or more available spectrum services to the source of therequest for spectrum sharing, i.e. the alternate spectrum holder 107 orthe UE 101.

Upon allocating the available spectrum services to the source of therequest for spectrum sharing, the allocation module 209 notifies one ormore of the primary spectrum holder 107 and the alternate spectrumholder 109 or the UE 101 that the allocation has occurred and may alsoindicate various details related to the decision to share the one ormore available spectrum services such as price, time, provider, etc. byway of the communication module 201. Additionally, the allocation module209 causes the CSS database 111 to be updated to reflect the allocatedspectrum services. CSS database 111 receives dynamic spectrumavailability information from the PSH identifying the primary holder andspectrum asset descriptors such as time, bandwidth, terms of use, price,and location. The availability information may be formatted to anysuitable database structure and may be stored by a memory. A tabularform of the spectrum availability information is shown as table 126. Thetable 126 lists the primary spectrum holder 127 and the spectrum assetdescriptors 128.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a cloud spectrum service (CSS) enabled multi-modedevice 300 with CSS middleware in accordance to an embodiment. Themultimode device is a general-purpose wireless device. A multi-modewireless device supports multiple radio access technologies (RATs) andtypically operates on multiple frequency bands. As a first example, awireless device might support Global System for Mobilecommunications/General Packet Radio Service/Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution(GSM/GPRS/EDGE), Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem/High-Speed Packet Access(UMTS/HSPA), and Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA). The multi-mode device such as UE 101 comprisesapplications 310, CSS middleware 320, operating system 330, and acollection of radio access technology (RAT1 . . . RATn) 340 tofacilitate communication with servers and clients. While not shown theMMD could have keypad, display, graphical user interface (GUI), CPU,memory, RF adapter, and bus to facilitate exchange of data. Middlewaregenerally refers to a communications layer that allows applications tointeract across hardware and network environments.

The context awareness component 329 makes it possible for programs andservices (applications) to react specifically to their current location,time and other environment attributes and adapt their behavior tochanging circumstances as context data changes. The needed contextinformation may be retrieved in a variety of ways such as applyingsensors, device information, user demographics, device/userinteractions, network information, location data such as from a globalpositioning system (GPS), device status, browsing user profiles, andusing other sources. For example, during device operation the physicaloperating environment or the physical location of the device may changecausing the data and/or services to change. Data and services may changedue to the time of day, or based on how the user interacts with thedevice and the mobile application. In another example, the occurrence ofan event may impact the operation of the device. For instance, poweroutages, increases in Internet traffic, or changes in environmentalconditions may occur.

Middleware may also refer to a piece of software that sits between twoor more types of software and translates information between them, or tosoftware that mediates between an application program and a network tomanage the interaction between disparate applications acrossheterogeneous platforms. CSS Middleware component 320 may coordinatecommunication, data, messages, and user interaction between hardware ofa multi-mode device and one or more broadcast experience applicationsexecuting on the multi-mode device as directed by a user of themulti-mode device. Middleware component interprets and binds togetherdifferent subsystems and applications in the multi-mode device toenhance a user's broadcast and/or multicast, conditional access, and thelike reception experience.

CSS middleware 320 comprises components such as CSS transactionmanagement 321, security and trust 323, MMD profile management 325,pricing 327, context awareness 329, and other components that maintainconnection with CSS network elements to enable flexible and optimal useof the spectrum and manages the resources among multiple radios andapplications on the platform.

The CSS middleware 320 architecture enables a multi-mode device or cloudspectrum (CS) enabled client to carry out the following functions:Managing a CSS transaction state from the context of an MMD, whichincludes communication with the Cloud Spectrum Broker (CSB) and CloudSpectrum Database (CSD), requesting, advertising and releasing oftime-frequency unit (TFU) availability windows. Setting the biddingprice per TFU for each TFU availability window requested by the MMD. TheTFUs made available to ASH/MMD through CSS are available for apre-negotiated duration called the availability window. By expiry of theavailability window these TFUs automatically become unavailable.Observing and inferring user's usage habits and preferences and form acontext aware usage profile for the MMD. Functioning as a trusted brokerincluding interfacing with the user for negotiation or confirmation ofthe price or transaction for spectrum. Reconfiguring the MMD andcorresponding RAT upon allocation and release of a TFU availabilitywindow; ensuring cease of spectrum use upon receipt of correspondingsignaling. Facilitating spectrum handoff during a data session, an MMDmay be reassigned to a new TFU availability window. Further, thisavailability window can be under the same RAT or a different RAT. Inthis scenario, the CSS middleware is responsible for managing andmaintaining the data session transfer during the spectrum handoff.Negotiating resource allocation with applications running on MMD on thebasis of traffic priority.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of STOP transactions required for release ofrented spectrum by client devices that are using the spectrum whendemanded by a primary spectrum holder or cloud spectrum broker inaccordance to an embodiment. Additionally, TFUs may become unavailableprior to expiration of the availability window due to an explicitrequest from the PSH. Method 400 provides a mechanism for handling theexplicit request from the PSH. In action 410, initiator such as a PSHsends a STOP <time> message (STOP message) to CSD for a given spectrumavailability. In action 420, if CSD determines that spectrumavailability is in use (YES) then the STOP message is routed to action430 for further processing. In action 420, if CSD determines thatspectrum availability is not in use (NO) then the STOP message is routedto action 470 for further processing. In action 430, CSD sends STOPmessage to corresponding CSB. In action 440, the corresponding CSB sendsSTOP message to at least one of MMD CSB, and ASH using the spectrumavailability. In action 450, MMD/CSB/ASH confirm to corresponding CSBthat spectrum is vacated by <time>. In action 460, corresponding CSBconfirms to CSD that the spectrum is vacated. In action 470, CSDconfirms to the Initiator that the spectrum is vacated. In action 480,the process is ended until it is invoked by the initiator in action 410.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 500 to process a STOP message torelease a rented spectrum prior to expiration of the availability windowin accordance to an embodiment. Method 500 illustrates how pushsignaling is used to require that a device such as an MMD/ASH to stopusing the rented spectrum. Before the expiration of the availabilitywindow a PSH 107 sends an explicit request, the STOP message 515comprises fields selected from the group consisting of DEVICEidentification, SPECTRUM identification, TIME stamp, TIME stop, FUTUREtime, DEADLINE, and a combination thereof. In this case the PSH 107transmits 515 a “STOP” message to Cloud Spectrum Database (CSD) 111. ThePSH 107 may include a TIME stop or deadline in the message whichindicates the time by which the spectrum shall be vacated by theASH/MMD.

The CSD then notifies, as shown by message flow 520, the correspondingor associated Cloud Spectrum Broker (CSB) 103, if one is identified inthe transaction in CSD, or associated ASH/MMD using the spectrum of theSTOP message 515 including the deadline associated with it. If a CSB 103is responsible for the transaction it is then responsible for notifyingthe associate MMD/ASH 101 using the spectrum, to discontinue its use nolater than the value indicated by the time included in the STOP message515. The ASH/MMD receiving a STOP message is required to send a messageconfirming receipt by sending a CONFIRM message such as a ACK STOPmessage 525 indicating that the spectrum will be released within thetime specified. The CSB 103 or MMD/ASH may initiate upon receipt of theSTOP message 515 a release spectrum process 530. ASH/MMD may also notifythe CSB or update the CSD after the spectrum is released if it was notreleased immediately. The PSH is then notified by CSD of the release ofthe spectrum RELEASE message 535 notifies the CSD or the CSB that thespectrum has been released. The RELEASE message or confirmation isforwarded 540 to the PSH. The CSD/CSB may retransmit the STOP message ifthe confirmation from the CSB/ASH not received in a pre-set time period.Note that the fact that CSS only applies to devices with always-onconnectivity, guarantee hat the devices will receive the signaling thatrequires them to stop using the “rented” spectrum.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includecomputer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executableinstructions or data structures stored thereon. Such computer-readablemedia can be any available media that can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carryor store desired program code means in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or combination thereof) to a computer, the computerproperly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, anysuch connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofthe computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Computer-executable instructions also includeprogram modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or networkenvironments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,objects, components, and data structures, etc. that performs particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated data structures, and program modules representexamples of the program code means for executing steps of the methodsdisclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represents examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

Various processes to support the establishment of an automated spectrumtrading and the optimization of spectrum allocation have been described.Using the disclosed approach, efficient and productive use of spectrummay be made, while minimizing the procedural and transactional burdenson spectrum holders or spectrum users. Although the above descriptionmay contain specific details, they should not be construed as limitingthe claims in any way. Other configurations of the described embodimentsof the disclosure are part of the scope of this disclosure. For example,the principles of the disclosure may be applied to each individual userwhere each user may individually deploy such a system. This enables eachuser to utilize the benefits of the disclosure even if any one of thelarge number of possible applications do not need the functionalitydescribed herein. In other words, there may be multiple instances of thecomponents each processing the content in various possible ways. It doesnot necessarily need to be one system used by all end users.Accordingly, the appended claims and their legal equivalents should onlydefine the disclosure, rather than any specific examples given.

We claim:
 1. A device comprising: a processor, in communication with amemory, for executing instructions to: consume during an availabilitywindow one or more broadcast services in a broadcast network; andprocess a STOP message, received during the availability window,requesting to vacate consumption of the one or more broadcast services;wherein the process of a STOP message comprises sending a RELEASEmessage indicating release of a spectrum; wherein the availabilitywindow comprises time frequency units (TFUs) made available to thedevice for a pre-negotiated duration; wherein the process of a STOPmessage comprises sending a CONFIRM message indicating receipt of theSTOP message; wherein the RELEASE message is sent to a primary spectrumholder (PSH), cloud spectrum broker (CSB), or cloud spectrum database(CSD).
 2. The device in accordance to claim 1, wherein the CONFIRMmessage includes a field indicating that the spectrum will be releasedwithin a specified time.
 3. The device in accordance to claim 2, whereinthe STOP message comprises fields selected from the group consisting ofDEVICE identification, SPECTRUM identification, TIME stamp, TIME stop,FUTURE time, DEADLINE, and a combination thereof.
 4. The device inaccordance to claim 3, wherein the STOP message is received from anexternal source selected from a group consisting of primary spectrumholder (PSH), cloud spectrum broker (CSB), cloud spectrum database(CSD), or a combination thereof.
 5. A method of operating a multi-modedevice, the method comprising: consuming during an availability windowone or more broadcast services in a broadcast network; and processing aSTOP message, received during the availability window, requesting tovacate consumption of the one or more broadcast services; wherein theprocessing of a STOP message comprises sending a RELEASE messageindicating release of a spectrum; wherein the availability windowcomprises time frequency units (TFUs) made available to the multi-modedevice for a pre-negotiated duration; wherein the processing of a STOPmessage comprises sending a CONFIRM message indicating receipt of theSTOP message; wherein the RELEASE message is sent to a primary spectrumholder (PSH), cloud spectrum broker (CSB), or cloud spectrum database(CSD).
 6. The method in accordance to claim 5, wherein the CONFIRMmessage includes a field indicating that the spectrum will be releasedwithin a specified time.
 7. The method in accordance to claim 6, whereinthe STOP message comprises fields selected from the group consisting ofDEVICE identification, SPECTRUM identification, TIME stamp, TIME stop,FUTURE time, DEADLINE, and a combination thereof.
 8. The method inaccordance to claim 7, wherein the STOP message is received from anexternal source selected from a group consisting of primary spectrumholder (PSH), cloud spectrum broker (CSB), cloud spectrum database(CSD), or a combination thereof.
 9. A non-transitory machine-accessiblemedium that provides instructions, which when accessed, cause a machineto perform operations comprising: if a STOP message is received duringan availability window, then processing the STOP message; and otherwise,consuming during the availability window one or more broadcast servicesin a broadcast network; wherein the STOP message is a request to vacateconsumption of the one or more broadcast services; wherein theprocessing of a STOP message comprises sending a RELEASE messageindicating release of a spectrum; wherein the availability windowcomprises time frequency units (TFUs) made available to the device for apre-negotiated duration; wherein the processing of a STOP messagecomprises sending a CONFIRM message indicating receipt of the STOPmessage; wherein the CONFIRM message includes a field indicating that ftthe spectrum will be released within a specified time; wherein the STOPmessage comprises fields selected from the group consisting of DEVICEidentification, SPECTRUM identification, TIME stamp, TIME stop, FUTUREtime, DEADLINE, and a combination thereof; wherein the STOP message isreceived from an external source selected from a group consisting ofprimary spectrum holder (PSH), cloud spectrum broker (CSB), cloudspectrum database (CSD), or a combination thereof; wherein the RELEASEmessage is sent to the primary spectrum holder (PSH), the cloud spectrumbroker (CSB), or the cloud spectrum database (CSD).